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A 7-Eleven in Vista was evacuated after a vehicle slammed into the side of the convenience store, striking a gas meter and causing a gas leak. NBC 7's Rory Devine reports.
(Published Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014)

Updated at 5:24 PM PDT on Tuesday, Jan 21, 2014

A 7-Eleven in Vista was evacuated Tuesday after a vehicle slammed into the side of the convenience store, striking a gas meter and causing a gas leak, officials said.

The accident happened around 2:30 p.m. at a 7-Eleven located at 1595 E. Vista Way.

Car Plows Into Vista 7-Eleven

Vista Fire Department Battalion Chief Joe Napier said a vehicle plowed through a wall before coming to rest on top of a gas meter.

Vista fire officials said medics tended to at least one patient at the scene. By 3:40 p.m., officials confirmed that patient was not seriously injured and would be released by medics shortly.

Everyone in the store was evacuated immediately following the accident.

“Fortunately, no one was hurt,” said Napier. “We have people evacuated out of the area so that we don’t have a problem with anyone coming into contact with natural gas.”

Napier said firefighters were concerned about the possibility of natural gas getting trapped inside the store and possibly igniting, hence the prompt evacuation of the building.

“When the power is on and when there are people inside of a structure, there are a wide variety of ways that gas can be ignited – cigarette smoking, lighters, any electrical devices within the structure can ignite that gas.”

San Diego Gas & Electric was called to the scene to repair the gas leak and deal with that part of the investigation.

Meanwhile, deputies provided traffic control in the area, diverting traffic on E. Vista Way at Palomar Plane.

As of 3:20 p.m., fire officials said a building inspector was called to the scene to assist. The cause of the collision is unknown. Check back for updates on this developing story.